"Prices are going up because £992 million profit in six months isn't enough. British Gas customers, still reeling from 35 per cent price hikes, might have expected Centrica to be losing money. They will be staggered at the rude health of Centrica's half year profits. Customers will be outraged to learn that while they ponder how to make ends meet Centrica’s shareholders are enjoying an increase in their dividends."

Well, that's fair enough you say. Independent consumer watchdogs are quite entitled to put their case, even if it is little more than a left-wing anti-market rant.

Well yes.

Except that energywatch is not independent. It is a tax-funded quango which costs us £15m pa (2006-07 Report and Accounts). Its rants are entirely dependent on us taxpayers for their funding.

"Prices are going up because £992 million profit in six months isn't enough. British Gas customers, still reeling from 35 per cent price hikes, might have expected Centrica to be losing money. They will be staggered at the rude health of Centrica's half year profits. Customers will be outraged to learn that while they ponder how to make ends meet Centrica’s shareholders are enjoying an increase in their dividends."

Well, that's fair enough you say. Independent consumer watchdogs are quite entitled to put their case, even if it is little more than a left-wing anti-market rant.

Well yes.

Except that energywatch is not independent. It is a tax-funded quango which costs us £15m pa (2006-07 Report and Accounts). Its rants are entirely dependent on us taxpayers for their funding.